India’s opening specialist Murali Vijay is a big fan of newly appointed head coach Anil Kumble and says the players have a golden opportunity to learn from the great leg-spinner.

Murali Vijay said he is a fan of newly-appointed head coach Anil Kumble and says the players have a golden opportunity to learn from the leg-spinner.(AFP Photo)

India’s opening specialist Murali Vijay is a big fan of newly appointed head coach Anil Kumble and says the players have a golden opportunity to learn from the great leg-spinner.

“My first Test match was his last Test match, so I could not spend lot of time with him, but I have been a great fan of his as a youngster,” he told reporters on the second day of the India camp at the KSCA stadium here on Thursday.

“It is a great opportunity for youngsters to talk to him about cricket and learn from him and improve their game. So it will be a great time for us,” the opening batsman added.

Asked what he makes of the Kumble-Virat Kohli combine, Vijay said it would be premature to make a comment but expects to have great 12 months ahead for Indian cricket.

“I can’t say much ahead of time. It will be too early to comment on that, but it is going to be great 12 months for us as a team - that much I can guarantee you. We are going to be up for it and we just want to be the best in coming 12 months,” he said.

“We had a great time with Ravi Bhai, and Anil Bhai has picked up for now, and hopefully we can have a good time learning a lot of things from him. He has been an unbelievable cricketer for India,” he said.

Asked about the challenged of playing the West Indies in their own backyard, Vijay said it is going to be an entertaining series and he was looking forward to the now-famous West Indian cricketing spirit.

“It is a great place to play cricket because there is more fun and there is competition inside. So, we cannot ask for more as cricketers. There is entertainment overall and we are looking forward to this series,” he said.

Vijay added, “It will be a confidence boost for us to play and perform and execute our plans. Then we come back and play matches in the home series. So there is lot at stake for us.”